True Legend. 10 Albums That Changed My Life: Rick Wakeman talks of his collaboration with Keith Emerson and John Wetton on a tribute album to Led Zeppelin on his birthday.

Given the keyboardist’s status as a prog overlord, it would be all-too-easy to assume that his influences err to that end — but they don’t. As you’ll see, his musical inclinations range from skiffle to R&B.

As an unparalleled king of the keys, Rick Wakeman has influenced progressive rock music in unimagined ways. With a cache of iconic records under his belt, any way you slice it, Wakeman is untouchable. Albums like Fragile (1971), Close to the Edge (1972) and Tales from Topographic Oceans (1973) — which he recorded with Yes — tell the story of a musician on a perpetual journey akin to a timeless musical odyssey.

But that’s not all. Wakeman has a massive discography of solo work, starting with 1971’s Piano Vibrations and continuing through 2023, when he dropped the aptly titled A Gallery of the Imagination.

Given his status as a prog overlord, it would be all-too-easy to assume that his influences err to that end — but they don’t. As you’ll see, his musical inclinations range from skiffle to R&B.

This is an absolute classic, with phenomenal Hammond from Jon Lord and great guitar and drums from Ritchie Blackmore and Ian Paice, respectively. The two other original members, Nick Simper on bass and Rod Evans on vocals, make up the original lineup. “Help” is probably the best cover of this Beatles song ever.

I loved The Who from the first time I heard them. At the time of the Mods and Rockers, they were considered Mods, but their music made them Rockers for me. Outstanding musicians and I was fortunate to see them in the ’60s and many times since.

The Bonzos were unique. Viv Stanshall was a barking mad genius, and he surrounded himself with musicians who “got it.”

I first heard “Not Fade Away” on pirate radio, Radio Caroline, and that was it for me. I loved the way they took the Black American sound and rhythms and showed that provided you understood the music, you could play it.